Scene One: Humble beginnings 1948-1959

After the war, times remained hard and the memories and effects of the conflict were still a very large part of everyone's lives. To combat the stresses of everyday life, a group of local amateur thespians formed Holybourne Dramatic Society on the 5th of January 1948, the same month and year as British Rail was formed.

The first two shows were produced and directed by Mr Percy Nash, the Club chairman, these were Interference (April 1948) and The Trial of Mary Dugan (Oct 1948) both performed in the Holybourne School Hall. Unfortunately, soon after Mr Nash left the village and there was a hiatus in performance for more than a year.

The Nissen Huts at Fisher’s Camp were reused and refurbished for local families who had nowhere else to live; except the, now dilapidated, theatre which remained untouched until Spring 1950, when the owner rented it, and some of the surrounding land, to the two year old Holybourne Dramatic Club (renamed at an EGM in May 1950).

The theatre had fallen into disrepair, little more than a desolate shell without furnishings or decorations. This situation would have daunted many, but the club worked hard to raise the necessary funds and agree loans to start putting on performances. Driven by the inspiration of Fred Elliott, an ex RAF school master who was teaching in Alton at the time, they worked hard and achieved their goal within six months, and paid off all loans within two years.